Common Personal Injury Claims and the Importance of Hiring a Lawyer
The article aims to provide an overview of personal injury claims, including common cases like car accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, and medical malpractice. Scroll down to read more!
Personal injury claims are civil lawsuits that are filed when someone is injured, physically or psychologically, due to the negligence or wrongful actions of another party. These types of legal cases are extremely common in the United States, with millions filed each year. Some of the most frequent personal injury claims involve motor vehicle accidents, premises liability (slip and fall accidents), dog bites, and medical malpractice.
If you have suffered an injury due to someone else's negligence, it is crucial to understand your legal rights and options. Hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer to represent you can make all the difference in seeking maximum compensation.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car accidents are one of the leading causes of personal injury, with millions occurring in the U.S. every year. Typical injuries include whiplash, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, internal bleeding, and more. Given the high speeds involved, motor vehicle crashes often cause severe or fatal injuries. If you are injured in a collision caused by a negligent driver, you can make a liability claim against their insurance for damages.
An experienced personal injury lawyer can help maximize your payout. Reports indicate nearly 3,500 Georgians are critically injured each month in speed-related crashes, costing society over $800,000 per second.
Premises Liability
Property owners have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors, tenants, and passersby. Slip and fall accidents are among the top premises liability claims. Poor lighting, cracked sidewalks, cluttered aisles, failure to put out "wet floor" signs, and unchecked icy patches are common causes. Each year, nearly 8 million Americans visit the ER after a potentially preventable fall. Your injury lawyer can help determine fault and fight for compensation if you are injured on someone else's unsafe property.
Dog Bites
Dog bites and attacks are another leading source of personal injury claims, especially for children. Owners can be held liable if their dog displays aggressive behavior and they fail to take proper precautions. Given the massive strength of dogs' jaws, bite injuries often require extensive medical treatment. Scarring and emotional trauma are also common after a serious dog attack.
If negligence led to your bite injury, seek legal help right away. Reports show over 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs annually, with 800,000 needing medical care. Fatal attacks have also surged, with pit bulls linked to 65% of deadly incidents.
Medical Malpractice
Doctors and healthcare providers have a legal duty to provide competent care that meets accepted standards. Medical malpractice occurs when a provider's negligent care directly causes a patient injury or illness. Surgical errors, medication mistakes, misdiagnoses, anesthesia accidents, and birth injuries are among the most common grounds for medical malpractice claims. Because these cases are highly complex, having an attorney is essential.
Importance of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
Given the strict filing deadlines and legal nuances of injury cases, working with a qualified personal injury attorney is imperative. They will handle the claim process from start to finish while you focus on recovery. Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning no upfront payment is required and they take a portion of the final settlement or award if they secure compensation for you. This ensures affordable access to legal help when you need it most.
Always consult with an attorney as soon as possible after any significant accident or injury caused by another party's negligence or wrongful actions. With strong legal advocacy on your side, you can feel confident your rights and best interests are protected.
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